Written Answers. - Youth and Sport Grants.

Tuesday, 14 November 1978

Mr. Timmins:asked the Minister for Education the basis on which the grant for youth and sport was made to the different vocational education committees, and the criteria used.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson):A sum of £100,000 was allocated among vocational education committees to enable them to finance youth and sports activities in their administrative areas.

Each vocational education committee was asked to expend at least 70 per cent of its allocation under the following headings: (1) Grants to volunteer leaders to attend training courses organised by national youth organisations; (2) Grants to members of sports clubs to attend coaching courses; (3) Grants to youth and sports clubs towards rental of premises, including grants towards heating, lighting and equipment; (4) Grants to youth and sports clubs to offset administration expenses (stationery, postage, photocopying, etc.).

It was left to the discretion of the vocational education committees as to how the remaining 30 per cent of the allocation should be expended. The criteria used in allocating the money among the vocational education committees were (i) The merits of proposals received from the various committees; (ii) Population; (iii) Bias in favour of large urban areas or poorer counties.